Pending unrestricted free agent Cammalleri would like to speak with Flames, unsure if he’ll test market

Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald04.14.2014

Mike Cammalleri ponders his future as he speaks to the media during Calgary Flames’ garbage bag day on Monday. The pending unrestricted free agent would like to talk with the club and is unsure whether to test free agency.

Surfacing one by one from the Calgary Flames dressing room at the conclusion of each exit meeting, they claimed that Monday was not the day for contract negotiations with the boss.

But, still, the team’s unrestricted and restricted free agents were questioned about their future with the rebuilding National Hockey League club.

“I don’t have anything to report,” said Michael Cammalleri, one of the team’s biggest assets who could be on the market July 1 if a contract agreement isn’t reached. “I am far from having ruled Calgary out as my future.

“It’s really, at this point, all there is to say about that as far as the organization’s gone and I think they have had the same approach with me.”

The Flames had begun negotiation talks with Cammalleri at the end of February but nothing had been hammered out and he went into this year’s March 5 NHL trade deadline as a hot ticket item.

The 31-year-old winger wound up sticking with the organization and has now ridden out his five-year $30-million contract that was assumed when he was traded from the Montreal Canadiens in 2012.

Although the year was set back by a few injuries — his hand at the start of the season and a concussion in January — Cammalleri still managed to put up 23 goals and 19 assists, most of which came after the trade deadline when he netted 12 markers and 11 assists in 19 games since March 5.

Unsure if he will test the free agent waters or not, Cammalleri expressed interest in staying on board.

“I’d still like to talk to Calgary and see where things are at moving forward a little bit,” he said “I really don’t know how I feel about (free agency).”

Chris Butler, also an unrestricted free agent, is likely due for a raise after the 27-year-old took a step forward in his NHL career and development. He defined himself as a penalty-killing, shot-blocking defenceman.

The Flames’ ironman — the only player to have dressed for all 82-games — said his agent and acting general manager Brian Burke had touched base regarding contract terms and dollar amount but nothing more.

“It’s a unique opportunity, being unrestricted and having control of your destiny and being able to choose, potentially, where you want to go,” said Butler who joined Calgary from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline in 2011-12. “It’s not an opportunity not everyone gets and it is something you earn and your work for.”

Time, however, is on his side as an early off-season awaits.

“It’s something I’ll think about, but it’s still a few months away,” Butler said of the July 1 free agent frenzy. “It’s kind of hard to think about right now after just playing (Sunday) and wearing that jersey for the last three years.

“It’s not unsettling, but it’s a little unnerving and a little intriguing and something that’s kind of in the back of your mind.”

Along with Cammalleri and Butler, fellow UFAs include defenceman Chris Breen (who returned to the Abbotsford Heat on Monday) and right winger Kevin Westgarth.

“I think everything’s a little in flux right now,” said Westgarth, acquired by the Flames on Dec. 30 for Greg Nemisz who was shipped to the Carolina Hurricanes. “I think we’ll be in touch and hopefully we can figure something out.

“I love playing here. It’s been a great opportunity. I feel like I can help the Flames out a lot.”

It’s also going to be an interesting off-season for restricted free agents T.J. Galiardi, Paul Byron, Joe Colborne, Lance Bouma, Chad Billins, and Mark Cundari who may or may not be part of the continuing rebuild.

“I love it here,” said Bouma, one of the players who made strides in his first full NHL season which saw him dress for 78 games. “I want to stay here. Hopefully, it gets done soon. But who knows?”

It was a trying year for Galiardi who wasn’t happy how his season turned out offensively — four goals and 13 assists in 62 games — and more healthy scratches than he would have liked.

“That’s the way it goes sometimes,” sighed the 25-year-old Calgarian. “I’m just going to take it day-by-day this summer. We’ll see what happens. I talked to Burkie. They said they’re going to try to figure everything out. I think they need some time to work things out and then they’ll let me know.”

Neither Byron or Colborne had any more light to shed on their contract negotiations — “The intent is there,” Colborne said; “I’m not too worried,” Byron said — but both would love to remain Flames.

“Oh yeah,” said Colborne who, like Galiardi, grew up in the city. “Not too many people get to say they can play for their hometown. It’s been dream come true for me. It’s been an awesome year.”

His best yet, actually. In a career high-80 games, Colborne produced 10 goals and 18 assists while Byron worked his way into the roster as the season progressed.

“I want to be a part of this team,” said Byron who collected seven tallies and 14 assists in 47 games. “I want to be back. I love the coaching staff, I love the city and hopefully there’s a spot for me here.”

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Pending unrestricted free agent Cammalleri would like to speak with Flames, unsure if he’ll test market

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